Which $1 million idea will make St. Paul better? Voting begins Aug. 13

The St. Paul Foundation has announced when and how the public will vote for the winner of its million-dollar-idea contest.

The foundation, which will spend $1 million on the best idea for improving

St. Paul, will accept votes beginning Aug. 13. That's when a panel of judges will announce three finalists, and voters will be able to make their choices at tables to be set up in libraries and other locations.

When the State Fair begins Aug. 22, the foundation will open a booth near the Space Tower to accept more votes. Voting will also be possible through the website mnideaopen.org, and by text, at a number to be determined.

After the foundation announced the St. Paul Forever Challenge in February, more than 900 ideas flooded in. They included a floating museum, trams and cable-cars, gardens and bike trails. Thirty semifinalists were announced in May.

Voting will end on the last day of the State Fair, Sept. 2. The winner will be announced Sept. 9.